> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.livepeer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Transcode video

> Use the Transcode API to transcode video from and to S3-compatible storage (e.g. Storj, W3S).

The Livepeer Studio **Transcode API** lets you transcode video files that are stored in **S3-compatible** storage (e.g. Storj, W3S, AWS S3). You specify an input location (bucket/path) and output locations for HLS and/or MP4; Livepeer transcodes and writes the results to your storage.

<Info>
  The Transcode API works with any S3-compatible provider. You need valid S3 credentials (access key, secret key, endpoint, bucket) for both the source and destination.
</Info>

## Prerequisites

* A [Livepeer Studio account](https://livepeer.studio) and [API key](../reference/api).
* Video file already uploaded to your S3-compatible bucket (e.g. Via Storj uplink, AWS CLI, or S3 SDK).
* S3 credentials with read access to the source path and write access to the output path.

## Basic flow

1. **Get S3 credentials** for your provider (e.g. [Storj S3 credentials](https://docs.storj.io/dcs/api-reference/s3-compatible-gateway)).
2. **Call the Transcode API** with:
   * `input`: type `s3`, endpoint, credentials, bucket, path to the source video.
   * `storage`: type `s3`, endpoint, credentials, bucket (and optional path prefix for outputs).
   * `outputs`: e.g. `hls: { path: "/output/hls" }`, `mp4: { path: "/output/mp4" }`.
3. Poll the returned task or listen for webhooks until the job completes. Output files appear in your bucket at the given paths.

For exact request shape and response, see the [Transcode API reference](https://livepeer.studio/docs/api-reference/transcode/create). Code examples for Node.js and other languages are available in the [Livepeer Studio docs](https://livepeer.studio/docs).

## Guides

* [Upload an asset](./upload-asset) - For uploading and playing in the Studio pipeline (TUS/PUT).
* [VOD overview](./overview) - Assets, playback, and storage.